IMBRA and the INTERVIEW

[Charlie640]

Has anyone actually had an interview at a consulate AFTER IMBRA took effect and can comment on exactly what was asked of the woman?
I am curious if they took her word that she was informed properly under the law, or if they actually asked to see documentation. Am also curious if anyone said they met via amigos.com what they said.

[Charlie640]

Was also curious if the interviewer asked if the agency was based in the USA or not.

[SDR]

Hey Charlie:

I don't know the answer to your question. I got the following info from Gary Bala's web site--it sure looks like USCIS is now a stickler for details, so I'd have written documentation of compliance with IMBRA in your fiancee's hands when she attends the interview.

http://fianceevisalawyer.com/

Amigos.com may fall under an exemption to the IMBRA requirements--I am not sure about this. Maybe amigos.com will tell you if asked.

http://www.usaimmigrationattorney.co...bNewswire2.htm

Maybe some of the agency owners on this board can provide some information in this regard. They certainly have the ability and obligation to comply with IMBRA and aren't going to stay in business very long if gringos like us can't get a visa for our fiancees because they didn't comply with IMBRA and provide the women in their agency with the required proof of compliance with the IMBRA law. If I am using an agency and meet a woman that I might want to pursue a relationship with, the first thing I'm doing is insisting on seeing the IMBRA documentation for that woman. No sense wasting a bunch of time and money if the agency hasn't complied with IMBRA. Agency owners: help us out here with some information in answer to Charlie's question. If you can't tells us what the American Consulate is now requiring to comply with IMBRA, what questions it is asking our fiancees, etc., why should we pay your fees? Maybe Gary Bala, who sometimes posts here, can give us some information too. We all can shell out a lot of money and spend a lot of time finding the right woman only to be blocked at the very end of the process by IMBRA requirements that were not met when we first connected with the woman.

[Texas Cowboy]

SDR, thank you for this info....couldn't get anybody else on here to give me an inkling as to WTF IMBRA was all about! In essence the agencies really don't have a clue to the specifics....correct? How does this affect the lone wolf like me who plans on wingin' it solo? Great post & keep the info cummin'

[SDR]

Hey Texas Cowboy--

I just keep going back to Gary Bala's web site on a regular basis and reading anything about IMBRA. He's got a blog about it on his site. It can be a real trap for us because it must be complied with BEFORE we have contact with an agency woman or else she may be denied a visa and all our hard work and money goes down the drain. It may well be a good investment to consult with Gary Bala before meeting/having contact with the woman to know what the agency must do to comply and what documentation to get from the agency so the woman can prove compliance with IMBRA at the Consulate interview.

Agency owners--again, can you explain how you are complying with IMBRA?!

[Ciza29]

I am not a lawyer, but how in the world could this be allowed by the constitution?

So if you marry her in Colombia they could prevent your wife from coming to the US?

I am incredulous. America is truly being destroyed from within by two lesbian congressman.

[Texas Cowboy]

Thanx SDR...I'll most definately be watchin' what transpires out of this legislation! I personally have not nor will I be contemplating on utilizing an agency but I will be monitoring the specifics of this IMBRA mumble jumble!
Thanx again Bro!

lmmfao@CIZA

[Bala]

Status of IMBRA:

IMBRA went into effect March 06, 2006.

It is however still subject to the TRO (Temporary Restraining Order) issued by one federal judge in Atlanta (Judge Cooper). Other than the Atlanta case, there is a second federal lawsuit pending in Ohio, but the judge there (Judge Rose) refused to issue any TRO on IMBRA. So the two judges disagree.

Also, there is some question even among us lawyers about the extent of the legal effect of Judge Cooper's TRO. The TRO seems NOT to freeze all parts of IMBRA, but some parts, and only as to the one plaintiff in that case (European Connections).

Some companies are using the "shield" of that TRO to keep doing business without complying with IMBRA for the time being, until final ruling by Judge Cooper (which could happen any week or any day now.)

Some other companies however are beginning to comply with IMBRA (or claim that they are complying) or say they will comply soon.

SEE FOR EXAMPLE:

1. www.continentalromance.com

2. www.loveme.com

3. www.latin-euro.com

4. www.colombiansweethearts.com

Tour group companies such as TLC and I Love Latins have attempted to comply with IMBRA requirements at their recent Colombian tours in June.

I have helped some of these and other companies remain in business and have generally counseled people (customers and owners) to comply with IMBRA as best they can, until final rulings by the Courts.

Meanwhile, USCIS Immigration Service has released the new Form I-129F for K-1 fiancee visas and K-3 spousal visas, which is now COMPLIANT with IMBRA requirements. So they are proceeding ahead as if IMBRA will stick.

USCIS is expected to release soon the promulgating regulations for IMBRA and the new domestic violence phamplet or brochure which is to be given to all fiancees and spouses.

As for interview questions at the Embassy or Consulate, IMBRA actually MANDATES THAT THE CONSULAR OFFICER ASK THE FIANCEE OR SPOUSE IF SHE MET HER U.S. CITIZEN PARTNER THROUGH THE SERVICES OF AN INTERNATIONAL MARRIAGE BROKER, and if that broker showed her the man's client background and got her signed release before the couple communicated with each other.

The good news (temporarily) is that for the couples who met BEFORE EFFECTIVE DATE OF IMBRA MARCH 06, 2006 (WHICH IS ALMOST EVERYBODY RIGHT NOW), the couple and the marriage broker company do NOT have to comply with IMBRA because the couple met before the new law's effective date.

As time passes, that will change. More and more cases which will hit the Embassy in the future will involve couples who met AFTER THE NEW LAW EFFECTIVE DATE MACRH 06, 2006, and thus, the fiancee or spouse should be ready for the above Embassy questions.

Good luck.

For more information, feel free to follow my IMBRA Blog on my website:
http://usaimmigrationattorney.com/nu...php?itemid=2#c

THANK YOU

Gary for the time you took to inform us and bring us up to date on this important issue.

GA

[Texas Cowboy]

Mr. Bala, excellent post! Thanx for deciphering the intricate legalities of this proposed legislation and expaining to us all on who will be mostly affected by these laws if and when it is implemented. "Wiping off sweat & breathing easier"